Chapter 1: A New Journey Begins

Hello there, wonderful reader! I'm thrilled to have you back, and if you’re joining for the first time, welcome! Please drop a comment so I can check out your articles too! Today, I'm on a creative roll and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share my experience from a memorable trip to Las Vegas, where I decided to cut back on alcohol.

Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash

At that point in my life, I had recently started taking Prozac, and we all know that mixing alcohol with antidepressants is not wise. I reached out to my doctor to ask if drinking was permissible, but I didn’t hear back until after I returned from Vegas. No worries—I figured it out, and now I reflect on that time with happiness and pride. I used to fret over what to order at bars or restaurants, carefully scanning menus in advance. I thought I was just picky, but it turns out I simply didn't enjoy alcohol.

Surprisingly, I wanted to blend in and be the life of the party, often trying to embody the role of the fun, carefree drunk girl who could also be everyone's savior. It's exhausting, and as you might guess, it's impossible. I learned that I definitely wasn't the fun drunk girl; in fact, I was quite the opposite. I also realized that being everyone’s hero isn’t feasible. However, I like to think I’m pretty cool in my own way.

Onward to Las Vegas...

Photo by the blowup on Unsplash

As my husband and I headed to Vegas, we were jamming to music and soaking in the moment (okay, maybe I asked him to roll up the window!). Finally, we arrived, and I felt a mix of excitement and nerves. I found myself debating whether to drink or not, back and forth in my mind. We stopped by a bar downstairs, where my husband gave me a supportive pep talk, reminding me that I didn’t need alcohol to have a good time—even though he was enjoying a beer. His encouragement was invaluable, making it easier for me to reduce my alcohol intake.

Reflecting on my post about comfort zones, I discovered a lot about myself during this trip. If you're considering distancing yourself from alcohol, remember that you don’t have to go to Vegas to prove you can do it. But if you do decide to take that leap, I hope you come away with a deeper understanding of yourself, feeling proud and more self-loving than before.

Photo by Christopher Beloch on Unsplash

Chapter 2: A Sober Weekend in Vegas

During my sober weekend, I discovered the joys of a virgin Bloody Mary! It turns out that bartenders don’t mind when you order non-alcoholic drinks. My virgin Bloody Mary was priced the same as the alcoholic version—typical Vegas! The bartender I initially thought might give me a hard time ended up ensuring I had a non-alcoholic drink all night. In fact, he even ordered one for himself!

I received far more compliments than criticism for not drinking. I woke up feeling refreshed every day. Opting for club soda with a splash of pineapple juice made it easy to blend in, allowing me to avoid unwanted questions. The best part? I wasn’t nursing a hangover while waiting for my flight, which felt amazing! Observing drunken antics made me reflect on how I must have appeared to sober eyes in the past.

It’s important to note that there’s absolutely no judgment for those who drink regularly; it simply doesn’t work for me.

Key Takeaway:

I left Las Vegas filled with pride in my choices. Something inspired me to write about this today, and I hope it reaches you on a day when you’re contemplating a challenging decision. Growth often comes from navigating tough experiences. I hope to inspire you to remember that you can tackle difficult challenges. No matter how many times you might stumble, dust yourself off and try again.

If you’re looking for great alternatives while going sober or cutting back, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram or leave a comment below! I’ve also joined Buy Me a Coffee—if you find my content insightful, consider treating me to a coffee! It simply means I’ll have more energy to create even more content for you!